All late or missing work needs to be finished and turned in by MONDAY (extended).

Two students are celebrating their birthdays this Friday at lunch. Their parents will be providing pizza and ice cream for the class. If you would prefer to send your child to school with a lunch or have them get a hot lunch from the cafeteria, that is your parental prerogative and it will be respected. Just have your child let me know as soon as possible. Thank you.

Next Tuesday is the writing assessment. We are reviewing strategies for it this week.

We started reading Island of the Blue Dolphins as our classroom novel this week.

If you are missing your TenMarks password and ID (which are the same) and/or SumDog password and ID (which are NOT the same), please contact me.

All late or missing work needs to be finished and turned in by this Friday.

Two students are celebrating their birthdays this Friday at lunch. Their parents will be providing pizza and ice cream for the class. If you would prefer to send your child to school with a lunch or have them get a hot lunch from the cafeteria, that is your parental prerogative and it will be respected. Just have your child let me know as soon as possible. Thank you.

Next Tuesday is the writing assessment. We are reviewing strategies for it this week.

Lastly, we started reading Island of the Blue Dolphins as our classroom novel.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Dear Parents,We had a real Code Blue today. The SJPD informed the office to have us "shelter in place" so we locked down.Here is the Mercury News article which was released shortly after the "shelter in place" was lifted:http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_22664951/san-jose-schools-locked-down-police-activity-eastI am proud to say that the students did a really great job of reacting to the "Code Blue" announcement, getting to where they need to be and maintaining their composure. The office personnel and staff also did a great job to ensure the students of Ruskin were safe.Please reinforce with your child the need to stay calm, alert, intelligent, and safe especially when they are NOT in the classroom when an alert happens.Once again, kudos to the students in their compliance and reaction to the Code Blue.Mr. Amutan

Friday, February 15, 2013

UPDATE: I have assigned the following lessons for completion before the break. They are for practice only and does not directly affect their math grade. I can monitor their progress and recommend more practice if needed.

1) Please have a safe and enjoyable Presidents' Break. Some work was assigned over the break for completion by my homeroom class: three reading comprehension stories and a math packet (MATHletics). The MATHletics packet can be redeemed for 2 FREE A's Tickets, but you need to bring the answer sheet back to school completed (so I can send them out to the Oakland A's). The MATHletics packet WILL NOT count for their grade, but if not done, the student will not receive the free tickets. My math class has their own review packet. And if your child is in my class AND my math group, they have both packets.

2) Thank you to Ethan's Mom, Carolyn's Mom, and Kimberly's Dad for chaperoning the students to and from the HP Pavilion! Also, congratulations to Hugo for winning a Yonex tennis racket through the SAP Open Kids' Day essay contest. Finally, it feels good to have finally won the big tennis ball! Gaël Sebastien Monfils,a former French No. 1 (reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 7 and winning 4 singles titles) signed it, too!

The ball is actually bigger than it appears; it has an 8 1/2 inch diameter!

The SAP Open Kids Day was hosted on behalf of the SAP Open, the second-oldest tennis tournament in the United States, which is still played. Sadly, this is the last year it will be in San Jose - its home for almost the last 20 years - as it will be moved to different locations (the next being Memphis, TN).It was a treat that Ruskin's students were able to enjoy it. I hope they come back soon!3) Thank you parents for the support and kind goodies and gifts for Valentine's Day. I wish you a restful and relaxing week with your children. I'll be happy to take them off your hands on Monday, February 25. :)

District Math Performance Task Assessment to be administered tomorrow. NO NEED TO PREPARE THEM as students will need to take it COLD. This will help prepare teachers and students for the transition between current STAR Testing and impending Common Core Standards Testing.

We have enough parent chaperones for this Friday's field trip. Thank you!!!

Valentine's Day lists were passed out. We are having a Valentine's Day card exchange and a little party after lunch next Thursday. If you'd like to bring something to share, please do.

Tomorrow is the Lunar New Year celebration. It was requested that this assembly only be for STUDENTS due to the capacity of the Multi. Thank you for understanding.

District Math Performance Task Assessment to be administered on Thursday. This will help prepare teachers and students for the transition between current STAR Testing and impending Common Core Standards Testing.

We have enough parent chaperones for this Friday's field trip. Thank you!!!

Valentine's Day lists were passed out. We are having a Valentine's Day card exchange and a little party after lunch next Thursday. If you'd like to bring something to share, please do.

District Math Performance Task Assessment to be administered this week. This will help prepare teachers and students for the transition between current STAR Testing and impending Common Core Standards Testing.

We have enough parent chaperones for this Friday's field trip. Thank you!!!

Valentine's Day lists were passed out. We are having a Valentine's Day card exchange and a little party after lunch next Thursday. If you'd like to bring something to share, please do.

Meet, watch, and talk to Big Nate creator Lincoln Peirce. Peirce will talk about turning his comic strip into a New York Times bestselling chapter book series and will sign copies of the fifth Big Nate book, Big Nate Flips Out.

Click here for more info: http://schulzmuseum.org/learn/calendar-of-events/

6. Language Arts - Theme 4 Test tomorrow- Tuck Everlasting Activities due Friday, 2/8 <---VERY IMPORTANT- If you did not copy down the Story Diagram information from the white board, here it is. Use it to complete the bottom story diagram:-- INTENTION OF THE HERO: Winnie wants to make a difference in the world.-- INITIAL BARRIER: Winnie is stuck in the touch-me-not cottage and is not able to do what she wants.-- BARRIER REMOVAL: Winnie learns about the Tucks and the spring.-- HIGH POINT: Winnie loves the Tucks.-- "RUG PULLING" (BUT): The man in the yellow suit learns about the spring.-- CATASTROPHE: Mae strikes the man in the yellow suit, who eventually dies.-- RESOLUTION: Winnie helps Mae escape.7. My Math Class - Assorted Topic Review Quiz tomorrow